Family sues Idaho after child dies in foster care

Associated Press - January 20, 2011 11:14 AM ET

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) - The family of a northern Idaho toddler who died after sustaining injuries while in foster care has filed a lawsuit against the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the foster parents, and two state employees.
The child's biological mother, Samantha Richardson, and maternal grandmother, Karin Rogers, filed the lawsuit last month in federal court. The Spokesman-Review reports that the family is seeking at least $50,000 along with attorney fees.
2-year-old Karina Janay Moore died Jan. 16, 2009, about a week after a foster parent told police the girl fell down a flight of carpeted stairs at the Post Falls foster home.
The Medical Examiner's Office in Spokane County in Washington state ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force head injuries. Police say no arrests have been made.
Officials at the state Department of Health and Welfare declined to comment.

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